"‘I will secure your sole nomination’ Former reporter extorted 100 million won sentenced to 2 years in prison"

A former journalist who was indicted for embezzling 100 million won by promising to secure a single-candidate nomination in the 22nd general election was sentenced to prison in the first trial.

According to the legal community on the 24th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21 (Presiding Judge Heo Kyung-moo) sentenced former journalist A, who was indicted for violating the Public Official Election Act and fraud, to two years in prison.

Former senior administrative officer B, who was investigated for giving money to A and indicted for violating the Public Official Election Act, was sentenced to one year in prison with a two-year probation.

The court stated, "This crime can raise the perception that candidate nominations, which should be fair and transparent, can be manipulated by money through the Presidential Office, the First Lady, or some influential politicians, and therefore must be severely punished."

However, the court judged that A did not actually have the intention or ability to secure a single-candidate nomination. Although A sent unilateral text messages recommending B to incumbent lawmakers or secretaries of the Presidential Office, there was no evidence that the recipients responded by promising a single-candidate nomination or discussing any exchange of compensation.

Earlier, A was prosecuted on charges of demanding 300 million won from B around January to February this year, before the general election, by promising to secure the nomination for the Gumi-gap district in Gyeongbuk, and actually embezzling 102 million won.

A was investigated to have deceived B by claiming influence over the People Power Party’s Nomination Management Committee and mentioning the names of the First Lady, incumbent lawmakers, and nomination committee members.